El Dorado Grabs Early Lead in Empire

Solid pitching and early run production propelled fifth-ranked El Dorado to a 5-2 victory over visiting Cypress on Friday.

Nick McMillan pitched a three-hitter as the Golden Hawks (9-1, 3-0) got the early upper hand in the race for the Empire League title.

“I was real happy with Nick’s performance,” said El Dorado Coach Matt Stine. “He’s a great competitor and when he gets on the mound, we play with a lot of confidence.

“To get an early leg up in league . . . I’ll take that.”

The Golden Hawks got to Centurion pitcher Paul Mezzetta for three runs on four hits in the first inning. Bryan Jackson drove in a run with a single and Cory D’Arrigo blooped a hit into left field to drive in two more.

McMillan, meanwhile, set down the first seven Cypress batters before catcher Cody Lovejoy launched a home run over the fence in right-center field to bring the Centurions (7-3, 1-2) to within 3-1.

In the bottom of the third, a two-out error by Cypress third baseman Mark Fitzgerald allowed D’Arrigo to reach first. Chris Wilson followed with a double, Brandon Ditolla walked and Chris Wessel hit a high chopper to shortstop. Scott Moore stayed back on the ball, and the result was a late throw to first. D’Arrigo scored from third and Wilson hustled home from second base, giving El Dorado a 5-1 lead.

McMillan allowed a double and a single in the fifth inning for a run, but struck out three of the next five batters he faced.

“I wasn’t spotting my fastball very well, but when you get a lead, pitching is much more comfortable,” McMillan said.